Nani who shot to fame with his fine performance in last year’s comedy treat ‘Astha Chemma’ is switching the genres and doing a youth film ‘Ride’ and family drama Snehituda now. His Ride is all set to release on 5 June. Here is an exclusive interview with Nani

Background:
I was born and brought up in Hyderabad. I did my schooling from St. Alphonsus, Hyderabad and intermediate in Narayana, SR Nagar. I graduated from in Wesley’s. It was during my undergraduate days, I got addicted to movies. There is lots of Maniratnam’s influence on me. I watched Dalapathy film innumerable times. I used analyze films deeply as my friends used to watch them just for the sake of entertainment. I wanted to become a director. Producer Anil is a distant relative of mine and he was producing Radha Gopalam with Bapu at that time. I joined Bapu as a clap director for that movie. It was a great experience working with Bapu and I learnt a lot from him. After that I worked for films like Allari Bullodu, Dhee and Asthram.

I took a gap was preparing a script to direct a movie. My friend Nandini Reddy (protégé of Krishna Vamsi) was working as RJ for World Space and she invited me to join World Space and work as an RJ. I need to work only for a day in a week. I joined her and worked as RJ for a year. Nandini made an advertisement featuring me. Mohan Krishna Indraganti saw that ad and opined that I have all the qualities required for Rambabu character in that movie.

Asta Chemma:
I was in two minds while committing this project as I wanted to become a director and I got an offer as an actor. I discussed with my family members as well. I opined that acting career got limited span and if I don’t pursue acting career now, I might never become an actor. But I can direct movies at any age. I knew that Asta Chemma was going to be a good movie. But was little skeptical about it’s commercial success while doing that project. Asta Chemma went on to become a blockbuster at box office.

Ride:
I committed Snehituda movie with Gemini Film Circuit first. That is when I also got an offer to act in Ride. I liked the character, but was not sure if I could do two movies at a time. I said no initially. But felt that I should not miss that movie. The producer is also persisted on casting me only. Now I am feeling glad that I did Ride project.

Story of Ride:
Ride is a story of two friends. Their attitude is completely different. I play the role of a carefree guy and Tanish does the role of a responsible guy. We represent the two sides of present youth. It revolves around a small yet interesting idea. Screenplay of the movie is nice. This movie is about the conflict between these two guys.

Working with Tanish:
It was a great experience working with him. He entered the film industry as a child actor. He is senior to me in acting though I am senior as per the age. We are like brothers. He calls me Anna.

Snehituda:
Snehituda is a film for family crowds. The music will be launched this week. And the movie will release in this month end. I am happy that I am getting a chance to do different genre in the early part of my career.

Direction:
I feel that creativity and talent has to be in you in order to become a good director. Working as an assistant director only helps in understanding technical departments. This technical knowledge will help you to transport the content in your mind onto the celluloid. I learnt about clarity of thinking and storyboarding from Bapu. I learnt how to be cool even in tense situations from K Raghavendra Rao. I want to try my hand at acting now and direction can wait.

Strength as an actor:
I got several offers in comedy movies after the success of Ashta Chemma. But I didn’t want to be a typecast. I wanted to switch genres. That’s why I am doing Ride (youth film) and Snehituda (family drama) now. My strength lies in trying out different things rather than to become a typecast.

Tamil debut:
I will be making my debut in Tamil now. It will be directed by Anjana Ali Khan who assisted Gowtam Menon in the past. This film is going to be a story driven intense film. You will see only characters in that movie. I am waiting for that movie to happen because it gives me an opportunity to prove my acting prowess. This movie will be launched in this month end.

Nandini Reddy’s film:
My friend Nandini Reddy will be making her debut as director soon. It will be a chic flick. It is a nice feel good love story. It is too early to reveal more about that movie.

Films I like:
Mani Ratnam and Kamal Hassan inspired me as directors. I love the detailing in thier movies. I must have seen each of Mani Ratnam’s movies around 100 times. I am also the kind of guy who stays in the mood of the movie even weeks after watching it. I tend to take the memories and feel of the movie beyond the cinema hall. I was in a dull mood for 10 days after watching Paruthiveeran.

Family support:
My parents never said no to any of my career plans. They let me get into movies. My sister who stays in USA is a great pillar of support for me. I discuss about my scripts with her. She is always excited about my work.

To idlebrain.com visitors:
I am also one of the ardent visitors of idlebrain.com and I feel that it is a genuine web site. I want all of you to watch Ride film. It will not disappoint you. Ride is a perfect Telugu commercial film catering to youth and family crowds.